Battery Metals - Copperbelt Katanga Mining

DRC Claims Only 3% of the Global Cobalt Value Chain

September 23, 2023September 23, 2023 Constance

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the world’s leading producer of cobalt, holding nearly 70% of the world’s reserves of this mineral, captures very little of the revenue generated in this sector. According to the figures recorded by Professor Jean-Baptiste Kushinganine during the first day of the just ended DRC-Africa 2023 forum on battery metals, which was organized in Kinshasa, from September 20 to 21, 2023, only 3% captured from the global cobalt value chain. “Confined to the role of exporters of raw materials, the DRC is at the bottom… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Battery Metals Lithium

Zambia Revenue Authority Seizes Truck Carrying Lithium in Anti-Smuggling Operation

September 20, 2023September 24, 2023 Constance

The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) has taken action to intercept and seize a truck attempting to smuggle one of Zambia’s strategic minerals, Lithium, at the Kazungula One Stop Border Post (OSBP). This operation was conducted in cooperation with the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development as part of ongoing efforts to combat illicit mineral exports. The incident unfolded when ZRA officials, working alongside Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development personnel, initiated an investigation into a group of exporters suspected of misclassifying valuable mineral products for export. Acting on a tip-off,… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Battery Metals Cobalt Copper Lithium

EU Commissioner Reassures Investment in DRC’s Critical Minerals

September 15, 2023September 15, 2023 Constance

During a meeting in Lubumbashi, Didier Reynders, the European Union Commissioner for Justice, conveyed strong support from European economic operators for investing in the development of critical minerals in the southeastern region of the DRC, as well as emphasizing the importance of addressing the social aspects of mining. Reynders explained, “The goal is to establish strategic partnerships in the mining sector for critical minerals, enabling European operators to actively engage in enhancing the social aspects of mining exploitation. We are committed to increasing the value of work in the mining… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Battery Metals Cobalt Lithium Partnership

Glencore Strikes Strategic Agreement with Tantalex

September 15, 2023September 15, 2023 Constance

The Canadian company Tantalex Lithium Resources operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Glencore concluded a memorandum of understanding at the end of last week according to which Glencore will have to partly finance the development of its lithium residue project in Manono. Under the terms of the memorandum of understanding, Glencore must obtain, in exchange for financing, the right to purchase and market the lithium that will be produced at Manono. And the funding itself will be divided into three tranches. A first of 2 million USD and… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Battery Metals

Zambia’s President Champions Electric Vehicles for a Cleaner Future

September 13, 2023September 13, 2023 Constance

Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema has emphasized the pivotal role of electric motor vehicles in addressing environmental challenges linked to traditional gasoline and diesel vehicles. He underscores the importance of their continued development and adoption in achieving a sustainable and cleaner future for transportation. During his visit to BYD, one of the world’s largest electric motor vehicle manufacturing plants in Shenzhen, China, President Hichilema expressed Zambia’s commitment to collaborating with companies that can advance the Electric Vehicle (EV) sector within the country. BYD Chairman and President Wang Chuanfu affirmed his company’s… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Battery Metals Lithium

Glencore Boosts DRC Presence in Ambitious Lithium Expansion Move

September 10, 2023September 10, 2023 Constance

Glencore plans to increase its exposure to the Democratic Republic of Congo to source metals vital to electric car batteries, as the commodity trading giant seeks to expand in the rapidly growing market. Glencore is making its first-ever investment in a lithium mine in the central African nation after agreeing a deal with Tantalex, a Toronto-listed group exploring for lithium in the DRC. The deal will see London-listed Glencore provide up to $55mn to Tantalex in three stages, in return for getting the rights to sell lithium from Tantalex’s Manono tailings project… Read More Here

Lithium Battery Metals Copper Gold Mining in DRC

Will Africa and the DRC Turn the Lithium Rush into a Development Opportunity?

September 8, 2023September 8, 2023 Constance

Africa holds 30-75% of the world’s reserves of lithium, phosphate, copper, chrome, manganese, gold, platinum, diamonds, and aluminum. Some of these minerals, such as lithium, are essential for what is known as the energy transition, the shift from an economy based on gas and oil to one based on renewable sources. Zimbabwe possesses the largest lithium reserves in Africa, which are also the fifth-largest in the world. In 2018, Zimbabwe and Namibia were among the top ten global lithium producers. Zimbabwe is expected to meet 20% of the global demand… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Battery Metals Copper Mining Policy

DRC Cancels Mining rights for 29 Companies

September 8, 2023September 8, 2023 Constance

On the date of the issuance of the decree, July 31st, by Michel Kibonge Nyekuma, the Chief of Staff of the Minister of Mines, several of these companies had not yet signed their memorandum of understanding. Twenty-nine mining companies, including Cico, Cilu, Congolaise de Mines et du Développement (Comide), Boss Mining, Ruashi Mining, PPC Barnet, and Chemaf, owned by Congolese, German, Kazakh, Chinese, Indian, South African, and Australian groups, have had their mining rights canceled by the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). As of the date of… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Battery Metals Cobalt Copper Mining in Zambia Transport and Logistics

Trafigura-Led Lobito Rail Upgrade Awaits Its First Users

September 5, 2023September 5, 2023 Constance

African metal producers are reluctant to make long-term commitments to use a railway a Trafigura-led consortium plans to upgrade, four sources with knowledge of the matter said. Known as Lobito Atlantic Railway, the consortium pitched the overhaul of the line, historically known as the Benguela Railway, that links resource-rich Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to the port of Lobito in Angola to bypass road congestion and avoid long delays on the copper and cobalt route. So far only Ivanhoe Mines is known to have signed a non-binding agreement to use the Lobito railway… Read More Here